Before embarking on Aromatherapy at home, there are several important things to know.
The following is a general guideline on “How to Use Essential Oils and Precautions” from Master Healer & Hypnotist, Mary McCandless, www.masterhealer.ca
Aromatherapy Massage is a healing art and probably the most pleasurable way of benefitting from essential oils. It brings about a feeling of relaxation and relieves aches and pains by manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. Essential oils stimulate the body to heal itself, nourishing the body, while adapting to each individual’s needs.
4 – 7 drops of pure essential oil mixed with 15 mls (1 Tablespoon) of a botanical Base/Carrier Oil is enough for a full body treatment. Add 1/2 of the carrier oil first, then the essential oils, then the remaining carrier oil. Never blend more than you will use at one time.
Essential oils must NEVER be used directly on the skin. Lavender essential oil is the only exception.
Essential oils need to be blended with a Base/Carrier Oils which are considered “fixed oils” which have no Bht or Bha. A “fixed oil” is a compound of Glycerol and a fatty acid. They are normally derived from vegetable or animal (emu) sources. Each carrier oil comes with its own healing properties.
Examples of common Carrier Oils are Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Safflower Oil, Carrot Oil, Calendula Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Coconut Oil, Corn Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Olive Oil, Peach Oil, Rose Mosqueta Oil, Sesame Oil, St. John’s Wort Oil, Wheatgerm Oil, Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil, Avocado (Pear) Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, etc.
Aloe Vera Gel is the ONLY carrier that should be used for anyone who is suffering from liver problems.
Baths ~ For a wonderfully relaxing experience at the end of a busy day, there is nothing like a warm bath with essential oils to help you ease the stresses of your life.
Just add 4 – 7 drops of pure essential oil to a Tablespoon measure, then fill the spoon with the carrier oil of your choice and add to a full tub, stirring just before getting in. Soak for at least 15-20 minutes. The oils need time to absorb into the body to restore a healthy balance, while promoting smooth and healthy skin. Choose the pure essential oil or blend according to your needs – relaxing, invigorating, uplifting, etc.
Inhalations ~ Aromatic essential oils can alleviate respiratory discomfort. Fill a large bowl with hot water and add three drops of pure of essential oils. Put your head over the steam and cover both your head the bowl with a towel. Breathe slowly and deeply until relief is felt. Pure essential oils attack germs but do not do damage to tissues.
Placing three drops of pure essential oils on a tissue or “hanky” is an excellent substitute for more direct inhalation if you are away from home. Or, simply place the tissue in your pillow while sleeping.
Compresses ~ Compresses can be made more effective when essential oils are used. Add a few drops to water with aloe vera gel and soak the liquid into a cloth bandage. Essential oils can also be added to a salve or poultice before being placed directly on the affected area and covered with a bandage.
Vapourising ~ Vapourising essential oils during illness will help to kill airborne bacteria and stop germs spreading. Essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
This is also an excellent method for room freshening or creating a soothing atmosphere for relaxation or meditation. Spraying a fine mist of pure essential oils into the air with an atomizer (without heat) is also effective.
A Ceramic Oil Diffuser or Oil Warmer uses a little tea light at the base to heat the essential oil(s) you place in the dish on top. It is important that you add these essentials to a little water. Of course, you again must be careful that the bowl remains filled or it will burn, leaving a real mess. Plus, you don’t want to leave it unattended, especially around children, pets or open windows.
A Reed Diffuser is the latest home fragrance system that offers weeks of fragrance without a flame. This is a very subtle form of diffusion and can be used to diffuse both essential oils and fragrance oils. The reeds absorb the fragrance to the top and disperse it into the room. The recommended ratio of base oil to fragrance is 80% base and 20% fragrance.
For a Steam Room or Sauna, apply 4-6 drops of therapeutic essential oils to the steam outlet or drop onto the rocks of a sauna.
Candles are also great for pure essentials as long as you don’t get oil on the wick. After the candle has been lit and a melt pool has been created, carefully, add the essential oil of your choice to this area. Remember, essentials do burn! Again, you don’t want to leave a candle unattended or around children or pets. And don’t forget to use beeswax or soy candles which are non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic.
All these ways require constant attention.
A safer, more effective way is to use an Electrical Diffuser that uses a simple pad you wet with oil. These are used by many professional spas and health care offices and need no special attention, but do require that you re-apply the oil frequently.
Precautions for Use of Essential Oils
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Not for internal use
- Do not use undiluted on the skin
- Avoid contact with the eyes. Should essential oil get into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with cold water for 20 minutes.
Toxic Oils ~ Anise, Mugwort, Pennyroyal and Wintergreen essential oils are incredibly toxic oils and should be avoided.
Semi-Toxic Oils ~ Birch, Cassia, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel, Lemon, Thyme and Eucalyptus essential oils can become increasing toxic as the body will accumulate it, if used repeatedly over time.
Pregnancy ~ DO NOT USE essential oils during the first three months of pregnancy. Citrus oils are considered safe after that period, however, it is still recommended to AVOID THE FOLLOWING: Basil, Camphor, Chamomile, Eucalyptus Globulus, Geranium, Sweet Birch, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper Berry, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary and Sage essential oils.
High Blood Pressure ~ Anyone with high blood pressure should NEVER use Hyssop, Rosemary, Eucalyptus Globulus, or Thyme essential oils.
Low Blood Pressure ~ Anyone with low blood pressure should NEVER use Lavender or Ylang Ylang essential oils.
Epilepsy ~ If you suffer from epilepsy, DO NOT USE Camphor, Fennel, Hyssop, Rosemary, Peppermint, Eucalyptus Globulus or Sage essential oils. These could provoke an unwanted epileptic reaction.
Cancer ~ DO NOT USE Lavender, Eucalyptus Citronella or Eucalyptus essential oils in conjunction with chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer.
Children and Babies ~ DO NOT USE Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) or Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Citronella or Eucalyptus Globulus) essential oils on children under 3 years of age.
Sensitive Skin ~ These essential oils MAY cause irritation to sensitive skins: Black Pepper, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud, Citronella, Ginger, Nutmeg, Fennel, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemongrass, Melissa, Orange, Peppermint, Pine Needle, Rosemary and Thyme.
Exposure to Sunshine ~ DO NOT APPLY these essential oils to the skin before going out in the sun or using a sun bed: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Lemongrass, Mandarin and Orange. Clary Sage and Cedarwood essential oils may also result in photosensitivity.
Homeopathy ~ Eucalyptus Citronella, Eucalyptus Globulus, Peppermint and Rosemary essential oils should be AVOIDED if taking homeopathy remedies.
Visit www.masterhealer.ca for 100% pure essential oils and therapeutic blends.
Personal one-on-one Consultation is available for custom healing blends by email, telephone or Skype. Questions are always welcomed.
Master Healer’s Aromatherapy products are blended by Mary McCandless, a certified Aromatherapist, to balance, stimulate, relax, invigorate, restore and rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
Only 100% pure, therapeutic essential oils are used in the creation of Master Healer products.
